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Biomedical subjects

A Barnes

Publications and source records attributed to A Barnes.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Nomenclature for factors of the dog major histocompatibility system (DLA), 2000: second report of the ISAG DLA Nomenclature Committee.

The International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG) Dog Leukocyte Antigen (DLA) Nomenclature Committee met during the "Comparative Evolution of the Mammalian major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)" meeting in Manchester, UK on 10 September 2000. The main points discussed were the naming of class I genes and alleles, and the inclusion of alleles from other canidae.

Alleles↗
PubMed2001

Comparative study of new benzenesulphonamide fluoroquinolones structurally related to ciprofloxacin against selected ciprofloxacin-susceptible and -resistant Gram-positive cocci.

The in vitro activities of benzenesulphonamide fluoroquinolones (BSFQs) I-III, new fluoroquinolones with a p-substituted benzenesulphonyl moiety attached to the C(7) piperazinyl ring of ciprofloxacin, were assessed in comparison with those of N-sulfanilylpiperazinyl fluoroquinolone (NSFQ)-105 and ciprofloxacin for 133 Gram-positive clinical isolates. NSFQ-105 and BSFQ-I were the most active drugs. They were 16- to 64-fold more active than ciprofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, including ciprofloxacin-resistant strains, and Streptococcus pneumoniae (eight- to 32-fold). A high degree of correlation was found between the MICs of the new compounds and ciprofloxacin for Staphylococcus spp. and E. faecalis. Staphylococci and enterococci exhibit cross-resistance to BSFQs and ciprofloxacin.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2001

The Camino intracranial pressure sensor: is it optimal technology? An internal audit with a review of current intracranial pressure monitoring technologies.

OBJECTIVE: To audit the reliability of the Camino intracranial pressure (ICP) sensor (Camino Laboratories, San Diego, CA) in our clinical practice as part of a continuing quality assurance program, and to assess its relative usefulness as compared with currently available ICP monitoring technologies that we reviewed. DESIGN: Prospective audit of ICP device reliability and function in 50 patients with head injuries. METHODS: Zero drift was recorded immediately after the ICP device was removed from the patient. Dynamic frequency response bench testing of each functioning catheter from 0 to 30 Hz and static calibration testing from 0 to 100 mmHg during environmental temperature variation from 22 to 40 degrees C were carried out. RESULTS: Zero drift (range, -13 to 22 mmHg; median, -1 mmHg) was recorded immediately after the devices were removed from patients. Seventeen (50%) of the devices tested for zero drift had absolute drifts of at least 3 mmHg. There was no correlation between recorded zero drift and duration of monitoring (r = 0.154, P = 0.207). Five sensors (10% of those tested) failed during patient monitoring and were replaced. Static and dynamic calibration tests of the functioning sensors were within the manufacturer's specifications. However, the sensitivity of the devices to environmental temperature remains a problem. CONCLUSION: The Camino ICP sensor remains one of the most popular ICP monitoring devices for use in patients with traumatic brain injuries. However, our recent in-house assessment demonstrated the robustness of the device to be less than adequate during routine practice. In this study, more than 50% exhibited zero drift greater than 3 mmHg, which is unacceptable in a catheter tip ICP monitoring device in which zero drift and calibration cannot be checked in vivo. A review of the literature revealed that other available ICP monitoring devices may prove to be more reliable and thus more appropriate for routine clinical measurement of ICP.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed2000

Evidence of Bartonella henselae infection in cats and dogs in the United Kingdom.

Sera from cats and dogs in the UK were tested by ELISA for antibodies to Bartonella henselae. Seropositivity was confirmed in 28 of 69 pet cats (40.6 per cent), 33 of 79 feral cats (41.8 per cent) and three of 100 pet dogs. Reactivity to specific B. henselae antigens was confirmed by Western blotting and demonstrated that consistent antigenic bands were bound by sera from the cats and dogs.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Immunological and inflammatory characterisation of three canine cell lines: K1, K6 and DH82.

Three canine cell lines, K1, K6 and DH82, derived from canine malignant neoplasms, were characterised. They were examined for expression of surface antigens, cytokines, neuropeptide receptors, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). The growth characteristics of the cell lines were established and bioassays used to detect production of TNF-alpha, IL-1 and IL-6. In the DH82 cell line, production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 was readily detected. Neither K1 or K6 cell lines produced any measurable amounts of TNF-alpha, IL-1 or IL-6. At a molecular level, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect specific mRNA, the DH82 cell line expressed TNF-alpha, IL-1 and IL-6, whereas the K1 and K6 cell lines expressed TNF-alpha. Canine IL-5, IL-8 and IL-10 mRNA were detected in the DH82 cell line but only IL-5 and IL-8 mRNA were detected in the K1 and K6 cell lines. Gelatin zymography was used for the detection of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and all three cell lines produced MMP-2 but only the DH82 cell line produced MMP-9. Reverse zymography was used to detect TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 and all three cell lines produced both proteins. The presence of these MMPs and TIMPs was confirmed at a molecular level using RT-PCR. Canine MMP-14 mRNA was detected in all three cell lines. For this investigation several genes for canine inflammatory molecules were cloned and sequenced for molecular detection; these included IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, MMP-9, MMP-14, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and beta-actin. Of all the cell surface antigens tested, only CD14 was expressed on the DH82 cell line although CD5 and CD45 was partially expressed. The K1 and K6 cell lines were negative for all of the CD markers tested. K1 and K6 were negative for Neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1-R) but positive for Calcitonin gene related peptide receptor type 1 (CGRP-1R) and Calcitonin gene related peptide receptor component protein (CGRP-RCP). The DH82 cell line expressed neither NK1-R or CGRP-1R; however, it did express CGRP-RCP. Generally the DH82 cell line exhibited considerable similarity to canine monocytes, but all three cell lines will be useful as standards and for the purification of various immunological and inflammatory mediators in the dog.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Reconfiguring services. Slow motion.

A scheme to reconfigure mental health services took 10 years from agreement in principle to the opening of the new unit. A plan to finance it under the private finance initiative had to be abandoned when the private investor pulled out. The original design was substantially altered in response to service users' requests. The trust allocated 1 per cent of the budget for artworks in the new unit.

Architecture↗
PubMed2000

DLA-DQA1 polymorphisms in dogs defined by sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes (SSOP).

Several recent studies have identified DNA sequences for alleles of the DLA-DQA1 locus in the dog. To date, 10 DQA1 alleles have been reported. No data exists on the frequencies of these alleles within the general dog population, nor is there any indication of whether alleles are breed specific. We have addressed this issue by establishing a molecular-based sequence-specific oligonucleotide probing (SSOP) method to identify all published DQA1 alleles and have used these methods to type a large number of dogs. Oligonucleotide probes were designed to detect all the polymorphic sites in exon 2. This allowed assignment at the allele level. Three hundred and thirty dogs were typed for DQA1. All but two of the published DQA1 alleles were identified in these animals. One new allele was identified, and confirmed by DNA cloning and sequencing. This typing method provides a powerful tool for generating data that will be essential for studies investigating the genetic relationships between different breeds.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Nomenclature for factors of the dog major histocompatibility system (DLA), 1998: first report of the ISAG DLA Nomenclature Committee.

A Nomenclature committee for Factors of the Dog Major Histocompatibility System or Dog Leukocyte Antigen (DLA) has been convened under the auspices of the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG) to define a sequence based nomenclature for the genes of the DLA system. The remit of this committee includes: assignment of gene names rules for naming alleles assignment of names to published alleles assignment of names to new alleles rules for acceptance of new alleles DLA Nomenclature Committee, rules for acceptance, DLA genes and alleles, sequence based nomenclature.

Alleles↗
PubMed2000

Identification of further DLA-DRB1 and DQA1 alleles in the dog.

Three novel DLA-DRB1 alleles and one novel DQA1 allele have been identified in a panel of 367 dogs. These were suggested by unusual reaction patterns found in sequence specific oligonucleotide probing (SSOP) data. Four new alleles were confirmed using DNA cloning and sequencing.

Alleles↗
PubMed2000

Canine TIMP-2: purification, characterization and molecular detection.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which degrade tissues in health and disease are under the control of the tissue inhibitors of MMPs, the TIMPs. TIMP-2 is particularly important for control of MMP-2 and both have been implicated in many pathological processes from arthritis to tumour invasion. This study characterized and detected TIMP-2 from canine cells; including synovial fibroblasts and three tumour-derived canine cell lines, K1, K6 and DH82. Gelatin zymography demonstrated that pro-MMP-2 is produced by synovial fibroblasts and the three cells lines. Reverse zymograms showed that all the cell sources tested secrete both TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. The 22 kDa band was purified and n-terminal amino acid sequencing showed it to be highly homologous to equine and human TIMP-2. Analysis of purified canine MMP-2 and MMP-9 showed that TIMP-2 is associated, and co-purifies with MMP-2. Polymerase chain reaction, using consensus primers, was used to detect TIMP-2 mRNA from the cell sources and proved positive in all cases. This work highlights the importance of TIMP-2 as the main inhibitor for MMP-2 and, therefore, opens the possibilities of targeting TIMP-2 for therapeutic intervention against connective amino acid tissue degradation in a range of diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

The use of statistical parametric mapping (SPM96) as a decision aid in the differential diagnosis of dementia using 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT.

In this study standard patterns of cerebral perfusion based on classifications described in the literature have been chosen and the ability of experienced imaging specialists to categorise the 99m Tc HMPAO SPECT scans of patients referred to the department for investigation of dementia has been compared before and after the calculation of Statistical Parametric Maps (SPM - Wellcome Dept of Cognitive Neurology). The primary aim was to investigate whether SPM is an effective decision aid and whether it impacts on the confidence of image reporting. The secondary aim was to examine the influence of SPM on the agreement between image reporting and clinical diagnosis. The results showed that there was a slight decrease in agreement between the imaging specialists after the introduction of additional information from SPM (K=0.57 to K=0.5) and that agreement between imaging reporting (including information from SPM) and clinical diagnosis was moderate (K=0.28). This study was able to confirm that SPM is capable of producing meaningful significance maps of individual patients in a routine clinical environment. However, there was no overwhelming evidence that SPM was able to resolve many of the dilemmas associated with the use of SPECT for the differential diagnosis of dementia. In particular, interpretation of SPECT perfusion patterns in dementia is a bigger problem than the initial identification of abnormalities.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Cingulate abnormalities associated with PANSS negative scores in first episode schizophrenia.

There is evidence for the involvement of the cingulate gyrus in schizophrenia. We present details of a Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) analysis of SPECT data from the largest study (N = 39) of drug naive schizophrenic patients. The main findings are that there is decreased perfusion in the anterior cingulate during verbal fluency when patients are compared to controls (matched individually by age, gender and father's social class as determined by occupation) and also that PANSS negative scores correlate negatively with regional cerebral blood flow in the cingulate gyrus (Pearson's Correlation coefficient of r = - 0.49 and significance p< 0.005). This suggests that measurement of change of perfusion in this region could be a useful biological marker in assessing the effect of neuroleptics on negative symptoms.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Interbreed variation of DLA-DRB1, DQA1 alleles and haplotypes in the dog.

Although 36 DLA-DRB1 and 10 DLA-DQA1 allele sequences have been published to date, no data on individual allele frequencies exists, either for specific breeds or cross breeds, and the full extent of the polymorphism at each of these loci is still not known. We have used sequence-specific oligonucleotide probing (SSOP) to characterise a series of 367 dogs for their DRB1 and DQA1 alleles. These included individual animals from over 60 different breeds, with numbers per breed ranging from 1 to 39. DLA types were generated from 218 dogs for DRB1 and from 330 dogs for DQA1, while 181 dogs were characterised for both these loci. The frequency of individual DRB1 and DQA1 alleles showed considerable interbreed variation, e.g. 83% of West Highland White Terriers were DRB1*01 as opposed to 9% of Collies. No breed had >9 of the 22 DRB1 types defined in this study; several breeds had only two DRB1 types. DLA-DQA1 showed less variation in allele numbers per breed, but also showed considerable interbreed frequency variation. Haplotype analysis revealed over 44 different DRB1/DQA1 combinations. Of these, 25 were in a number of animals, and also in an animal that was homozygous for one or both of these loci. Some DRB1 alleles could be found in combination with several different DQA1 alleles, while others were only present in one haplotypic combination. DLA allele frequency data in normal dogs will be critical for disease association studies. It may also be possible to use haplotype data to establish the genetic relationships between different dog breeds.

Alleles↗
PubMed1999

Canine rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory cytokines.

Bioassays were developed to detect canine pro-inflammatory cytokines. These enabled characterisation of these cytokines and their isoforms and provided means for their assay in the joints of dogs with different naturally occurring arthropathies. Canine IL-1 was detected by its induction of proliferation of D10(N4)M cell line, whilst IL-6 had a proliferative effect on B9 cell line. TNFalpha had a cytotoxic effect on WEHI 164 (13) cells. Partial purification of the cytokines was achieved by FPLC ion-exchange chromatography and two isoforms of IL-1 were shown, possibly corresponding to IL-1alpha and IL-1beta. TNFalpha only appeared as one isoform whereas IL-6 showed at least five isoforms, possibly corresponding to the other molecules in the IL-6 family, such as IL-11 and oncostatin M. Analysis of synovial fluids from dogs with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) showed that IL-1 and TNFalpha bioactivity was not readily detectable at increased levels in diseased joints but that IL-6 was significantly increased in both diseases. It is now important to determine the role of IL-6 in OA and RA in the dog, particularly in the induction of proteolytic enzymes which lead to cartilage loss.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Validation of statistical parametric mapping (SPM) in assessing cerebral lesions: A simulation study.

Simulated abnormalities were introduced in a normal SPECT with known and controllable characteristics (abnormality size and depth) in an attempt to provide validation for the analysis of SPECT lesion studies using SPM. Two simulations were carried out. The first determined the minimum hypoperfusion depth detectable using SPM by altering mean local intensity while keeping the size of the lesion constant. This was done by changing the mean local intensity in percentile increments of 10 down to -100 and up to 50. The second simulation determined the cluster size that SPM can detect by keeping the mean intensity of the lesion constant while altering its size from 4 voxels to 63,000 voxels in a total brain volume of 300, 000 voxels. Both simulations determined which method of normalization is most appropriate, what level of grey matter thresholding should be used, and at what statistical probability peak threshold (u) the results should be determined. Proportional scaling was found to be the most appropriate normalization method. ANCOVA was useful where very large abnormalities were present and normalization external to SPM was not available. In those cases, ANCOVA was used in conjunction with measurement of an unaffected part of the brain (in this case medial occipital lobe). For better results statistical probability peak threshold was set to p(u) = 0. 01 and grey matter threshold was set to a value below 0.5. SPM produced best results when the abnormality represented a decrease of about -50% from the normal or more and detected other decreases in an acceptable manner.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1999

DLA-DRB1 polymorphisms in dogs defined by sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes (SSOP).

To date, DNA sequences for 29 dog DLA-DRB1 alleles have been reported. However, no data exists on the frequencies of these alleles within the general dog population, nor is there any indication of whether there is interbreed variation of allele distribution. We have addressed this by establishing a molecular based sequence-specific oligonucleotide probing (SSOP) method to identify all of the known broad DRB1 types and we have used this to type a random panel of dogs. A series of oligonucleotide probes were designed to detect known polymorphisms in the three DRB1 hypervariable regions, together with two distinctive motifs in other regions of exon 2. This set of probes enabled us to assign broad DRB1 types. Two hundred and eighteen dogs were SSOP typed for DRB1. All but 4 of the published DLA-DRB1 alleles were identified in these animals. Interbreed variation in both allele distributions and allele frequencies were observed, which may be useful in the study of genetic variation between breeds. This variation also has implications for the selection of control groups for studies aimed at identifying MHC associations with disease susceptibility in the dog.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Nomenclature for factors of the dog major histocompatibility system (DLA), 1998. First report of the ISAG DLA Nomenclature Committee. International Society for Animals Genetics.

A Nomenclature Committee for factors of the dog major histocompatibility system or dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) has been convened under the auspices of the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG) to define a sequence-based nomenclature for the genes of the DLA system. The remit of this committee includes: i) assignment of gene names; ii) rules for naming alleles; iii) assignment of names to published alleles; iv) assignment of names to new alleles; and v) rules for acceptance of new alleles.

Amino Acid Sequence↗